Advice for young people

How to deal with cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can seem like a never ending torment, especially when there are many people involved. But there are steps you can take, and people you can talk to in order to make it stop.

Recognise it

Know what to look out for: Cyberbullying comes in many different forms; make sure you know how to recognise it when it happens.

Find the cause: Try to establish who is behind it, and why they may have targeted you. Make sure you keep the evidence, as without proof, it will be hard to make a complaint.

Report it

Unless you report cyberbullying to an adult, it is very unlikely to stop. Start by talking to your parents or guardians about the types of cyberbullying you have experienced. They will be able to help you in reporting it to the following people:

The school: The school has a responsibility to protect you from bullying, even if it happens offsite, online or over the phone. Ask your parents to schedule a meeting with your teacher, and be prepared to talk to them about who has been involved.

Service providers: There are very simple steps you can take to report cyberbullies who contact you by phone, email and on social media. These are all outlined here.

The police: Forms of cyberbullying such as threatening phone calls or messages may be an illegal offence that the police can help with. Ask your parents to contact your local police station for more information.

Prevent it

Don't respond: Never get involved in arguments online, as this will only escalate the situation and make it much worse.

Block the bullies: You can easily prevent cyberbullies from being able to contact you by following our cyber safe settings.

Increase your privacy: Unfortunately, some people use the internet to cause harm to others. Don't let this small group ruin your experience, but be sensible with the information you share. Follow our privacy guidelines to keep yourself protected.

Respect your online presence: It is easy to forget that the cyber world is the real world, and what you share online can have huge consequences. It is therefore so important that you always think before you post!

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